The Cruise

Ric Salinas of Culture Clash stars in a new comedy set aboard a luxury ocean liner. The decadent Caribbean cruise, sailing obliviously through waters bloodied by the region’s dark Colonial history, becomes a metaphor for the fractured political, cultural and sexual identities of its passengers. Directed by Heath Cullens (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)

World premiere comedy

The Latino Theater Company kicks off its 2017 season exploring themes of identity and its relationship to history with a new socio-political comedy set on board a luxury ocean liner. The world premiere of The Cruise by Jonathan Ceniceroz opens March 16 at The Los Angeles Theatre Center. Low-priced previews begin March 10.

The setting — a decadent Caribbean cruise obliviously sailing through waters bloodied by the region’s dark Colonial history — becomes a metaphor for the fractured political, cultural and sexual identities of its passengers. Ric Salinas (Culture Clash) heads the cast as enrichment lecturer Ramón, who may not be exactly who he seems — to us, or to himself. Kenneth Miles Ellington Lopez (Latino Theater Company’s A Mexican Trilogy) plays James, Ramón’s aspiring writer son, long estranged from his father and from his Latino heritage. Carolyn Almos (Sacred Fools, Burglars of Hamm) portrays the nouveau riche Judith, intent on using her newly inherited wealth to further a conservative political agenda, while Gary Lamb (Coeurage Theatre Company’s Urinetown) is Howard, Judith’s hedonistic second husband. Rounding out the cast, Brian Wallace (Cash on Delivery at the El Portal) takes on flamboyant Boyd Mathiessen, the cruise director who threatens to reveal secrets from Ramón’s past. Heath Cullens (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) directs.

“I wanted to explore the sense of dislocation that so many of us feel in today’s society,” explains Ceniceroz. “Ramón and James are third and fourth generation Latinos who have lost touch with their heritage. We don’t usually see the immigrant experience from that perspective – the assimilated, ‘pocho’ point of view. But I don’t think that a sense of fractured identity is limited to any one demographic. It’s a universal issue that everyone can relate to. And it all takes on a new resonance in the age of Trump.”

“Jonathan tackles a lot of big issues in this play, like politics and identity, but it’s all wrapped up in a very simple story about a father and son,” says Cullens. “The reason The Cruise is so effective is because its core is so human, emotional and true. Plus… it’s very funny!”